FlyCart 100: DJI's most powerful cargo drone can carry up to 176 lb

We've already had several opportunities to test DJI drones ourselves, such as the DJI Neo and the DJI Flip. In addition to drones for end users who simply want to take videos and photos from the air, DJI also offers models for professional users such as companies and government institutions. The FlyCart 100 is one such model, a new professional drone that is primarily intended for transporting goods. The delivery of goods via drone is primarily of interest to those who have to deliver goods urgently or to hard-to-reach locations.

The new FlyCat 100 model offers a relatively large carrying capacity, namely up to 80 kg (176 pounds). According to DJI, this maximum load can be transported over 6 km (3.7 miles). Such a large capacity allows, for example, the delivery of fresh food or medical supplies to difficult locations. If a maximum load of 65 kilograms (143 pounds) has to be transported and two batteries are then used, the range increases to 12 kilometers (7.45 miles); with a lower load, the range increases even further.

DJI claims that the drone can be used at temperatures between -20 °C and 40 °C and up to an altitude of 6,000 meters. However, a higher altitude results in decreased efficiency and range decrease due to decreasing air pressure. A number of sensors are on board, including LiDAR, five-eye fisheye cameras, millimeter-wave radar and night-time lighting. These provide intelligent obstacle avoidance, 360-degree awareness and real-time terrain sensing.

Loads can not only be packed into a 70-liter box, but can also be delivered via winch and rope if the terrain makes delivery difficult. To this end, it comes with both a 30-meter retractable rope and a dual-electric version with a 10-meter fixed rope for simpler operations. A built-in parachute system, intended as a last-measure to protect the drone and cargo in case of system failure, is designed to deploy at maximum weight from over 100 meters (326 feet) and keep descent under 6 m/s. Lastly, a single battery can be charged in 9 minutes, can self-heat in cold weather and has a specified half-life of 1,500 cycles.

The drone is currently on offer in China for the equivalent of around $12,400. Information on a global launch is still pending, but with the FlyCart 30 already widely available, the FC100 is likely to follow soon.